Anniversary for Bishopbriggs theatre that gave Doctor Who his big break

Peter Capaldi

David Hepburn

The theatre where Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi first caught the acting bug is preparing to mark its 45th anniversary.

Capaldi trod the boards at the Fort Theatre, in Bishopbriggs, before going on to become one of Scotland’s most versatile actors - appearing in television hits ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘The Musketeers’ before landing the role as the latest incarnation of the Time Lord.

He also won an Oscar in 1995 for his short film ‘Franz Kafka’s It’s A Wonderful Life’.

Hes just one of a number of famous faces, including Martin Smith and Leslie Fitzsimmons, to have appeared at the theatre since it opened in 1969.

It was the brainchild of James Bissell who came up with the idea of converting a disused granary into a theatre.

Provost Bruce laid the foundation stone on June 1, 1969, and the first performance in the Fort Theatre was ‘The Hollow Crown’ on November 25 the same year.

The first episode of the new series of Doctor Who is on BBC1 this Saturday at 7.50pm.

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